Still balancing your laptop on a stack of old books? It’s time to upgrade. Having the right laptop stand can make life more comfortable, so you can stop craning your neck while you work.
The best stands raise your laptop’s screen (or external monitor!) close to eye level, which is better for maintaining a healthy posture. Some can even fit into a backpack for easy travel or switch configurations from sitting to standing. These are our favorites.
Need more options for your home office? Read our guide to work-from-home gear.
Updated August 2023: We’ve added the Long Birch Flex Stand, Twelve South’s Curve Flex Stand, and the Nexstand K2. We’ve also removed both of our recommended sit-stand converters, which are no longer available. We’ll test new ones soon.
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Peripherals Are Important
Snagging one of the laptop stands below is one of many ways you can improve your posture when sitting at a desk for long periods. Connecting your laptop to a separate computer monitor is another. You’ll be able to multitask more easily with two screens, and you won’t have to strain your neck as much.
Some of these laptop stands are best paired with a separate keyboard and mouse. These peripherals mean you can set your laptop farther away and at various heights, and you won’t need to stretch your arms in awkward ways to type. The right mouse can prevent muscle strain and wrist problems, so check out the picks in our Best Keyboards and Best Gaming Mouse guides. (You don’t need to be a gamer to use a gaming mouse!)